Announcements
George Bodenheimer marks the end of his 33-year ESPN career

ESPN President John Skipper (l) on the man he succeeded, George Bodenheimer (r): “It is impossible to completely capture the impact George has had on our company and on so many of us during his remarkable 33 years with ESPN.” (Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ESPN Images)

Then ESPN President George Bodenheimer (left) addressed employees during the Jan. 7, 2004 launch of ESPN Deportes. (Rich Arden/ESPN Images)

George Bodenheimer (fourth from left) has played an integral role for nearly 20 years helping to build The V Foundation and will now focus his attention on helping to continue to raise money for the Foundation. (Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)

ESPN Executive Chairman George Bodenheimer: “I have been proud to represent the men and women of ESPN. Every day I was asked questions about the future, and my favorite answer was, ‘ESPN has the best employees in the business. They know what the mission of the company is, and together we will figure it out’…I have great faith that it will always be true.” (Rich Arden/ESPN Images)

Earlier today, ESPN Executive Chairman George Bodenheimer notified his colleagues that he will be leaving the company as of May 31, marking the end of an impressive 33-year ESPN career.

George thanked past and present ESPN employees in his note.

“It has been my privilege and great pleasure to work alongside the most passionate, innovative and hard-working colleagues in this or any other business for the past 33 years…

“I have been proud to represent the men and women of ESPN. Every day I was asked questions about the future, and my favorite answer was, ‘ESPN has the best employees in the business. They know what the mission of the company is, and together we will figure it out’…I have great faith that it will always be true.

“ESPN’s future is bright, which is of great comfort to anyone who cares deeply about our company.”

John Skipper, who succeeded George as president in January 2012, had this to say in his own note to ESPN employees:

“It is impossible to completely capture the impact George has had on our company and on so many of us during his remarkable 33 years with ESPN…his work ethic was unparalleled, his focus on teamwork always clear. He believed completely in the collective talent of ESPN’s employees, and he combined a realist’s pragmatism with an optimist’s faith in navigating ESPN through unprecedented growth.

“George is a uniquely gifted leader.”

George has played an integral role for nearly 20 years helping to build The V Foundation and will now focus his attention on helping to continue to raise money for the Foundation.